London: Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister A N M Ehsanul Hoque Milon today emphasized the need for education systems to undergo reform to equip students with essential skills, confidence, creativity, and values alongside academic qualifications. The statement was made during his speech at the plenary session of the Education World Forum 2026, held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, which is touted as the largest annual gathering of education ministers worldwide, with participation from ministers representing around 150 countries.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Minister Milon remarked on Bangladesh’s return to a democratic trajectory after a prolonged period of undemocratic governance. “Following an overwhelming victory with public support, our government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has been entrusted with the significant responsibility of implementing meaningful changes in the education sector,” he stated. He further elaborated that public expectations call for a qualitative transformation in education, which should extend beyond merely producing graduates to preparing students for the job market.
The minister stressed that such transformation should ensure that students not only succeed in examinations but also develop skills, confidence, creativity, and values. He advocated that education must pave the way for employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and dignity. Emphasizing the concept of “joyful learning,” Minister Milon highlighted the need to create environments that foster curiosity and creativity in students, rather than relying solely on rote memorization.
He underscored the necessity of developing problem-solving abilities, values, sports, cultural activities, and mental resilience among students. Highlighting government initiatives within the education sector, he noted steps taken to expand third-language learning, introduce technical and vocational education at the secondary level, extend school feeding programs, and provide students with uniforms, shoes, and bags. Additionally, he mentioned plans to gradually increase education investment to 5 percent of GDP.
Addressing the role of teachers and technology, Minister Milon affirmed that teachers remain pivotal agents of change. He referred to the government’s “One Teacher, One Tablet” initiative as a means to enhance teachers’ digital capacity further. The education minister also emphasized that artificial intelligence and other modern technologies should act as supportive tools for teachers and students to improve learning outcomes. “Technology must be used to enhance education and reduce inequality, not to widen it,” he concluded.